Faculty of Health Science Dean Jim Weese was a volunteer Feb. 15-28 at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The assignment found him staying in the home of former Western colleague Jayne Garland, helping behind the bench and in locker rooms for men’s hockey games and reconnecting with former students and colleagues.
While in Vancouver, Weese kept notes about his experiences. Here is an edited account of his adventures. The action was non-stop, both on and off the ice. February 16
Was assigned the Norway team, who played Canada. Got their bench ready, set up their warm-up pucks, and was on ice after their pre-game to retrieve the pucks. Cleaned up their benches between periods.
Stood behind their bench – but had to help one of their players who blocked a shot and broke his ankle. I helped get him into the medical area – went to their dressing room and retrieved his accreditation – and off he went to the hospital.
Got their jersey, socks, towels and personal items to the laundry, cleaned and back in their dressing room later that night.
There are three games each day – 12 noon, 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It is late when we finish – after 1 a.m. – so I need to take an alternative route home and walk six blocks to Jayne’s home.
I had to go through all the dressing rooms late tonight – make sure they had towels, water, Powerade. Very interesting contrast.
Canada – most lavish by a country mile with en suite whirlpool, video room, lounge, reception area, lots of motivational quotes posted – laminated.
Russians – very untidy.
U.S. – heavy reference to the Miracle on Ice – they are similar – young, not expected to do much. Many pictures posted from 1980 Games as well and 1996 Canada Cup.
Swiss – had kids’ pictures that were drawn/painted and sent to the team (e.g., hockey team walking up a mountain that has the Olympic Rings at the top.
February 17
February 17
Jaromir Jagr came into our room prior to the Czech game with the Slovacks. He wanted to set up a shrine to ‘bless his sticks – bring them luck”. He has a candle burning between his game sticks.
It worked – he scored the game winner – was grinning ear- to-ear after the game. February 23
Women semi-finals were taking place today. Ran into Meghan Agosta – chatted with her and called her father (we went to Windsor together 1976 – 80). Also talked with Peter Smith – assistant coach who I know from Campus Recreation days and Doug Stacey – Canada’s athletic therapist who works for our Fowler-Kennedy clinic.
Had a chat today with Corey Perry who lives in our neighbourhood in London, when not in Anaheim. I chat with him and London’s Drew Doughty most days in the halls. I coached Drew’s first cousin in London and flew to Vancouver with that boys’ father and Drew’s dad. February 24
Four great games today – tensions running real high in Canada Hockey Place.
USA and Swiss – should be USA win but the Swiss play real hard.
Canada and Russia – heart says Canada – word in the building is that Russia
will win. Those who paid 3K for the gold medal game may be unhappy. Canada wins 7-3. The players and team officials look relieved. Russian players and officials are dejected.
Slovaks and Sweden – will be great game. Slovaks are underrated. I am picking
them to upset Sweden.
Czechs vs. Finland – very evenly matched. Jagr may be seriously hurt. Pick
Finland.
I have the Slovaks tonight.
I met with the Slovakian’s officials prior to their game. Their trainer, Sammy, is a very nice person and very gracious for all that we do to help them. They are in tough against the gifted Sweden team.
I set their pucks up for the pre-game warm-up and get their bench ready. I stand behind their bench for parts of the game.
Slovakia upsets the Swedes. Their room is very loud. The president of the country drops by to visit them.
It is 2 a.m. before we finish – get a ride home with someone who lives close to the UBC campus. February 26
Had breakfast with Ivey Dean Carol Stephenson, Kellie Leitch and her sister, and three Ivey students (one of whom is also a FHS graduate). Great chance to share experiences.
Carol (member of VANOC) gave me two tickets to the closing ceremonies. I invited Jayne to join me and she was delighted to do so.
Early in the shift Wayne Gretzky stopped by our area. We got pictures with him and we watched the end of the women’ curling. With Canada up two in the 10th end he said that he didn’t feel good about the outcome. He said Bernard looked scared – that he’d seen it many times in his career. Unfortunately it was a forecast of things to come.
Met and had pictures with Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir on my way down to the dressing rooms following the game. Tessa’s dad also plays golf at Sunningdale and she attends the University of Windsor.
February 27
Was moving the USA equipment to their dressing room and got the cart jammed in a tight hallway. USA goaltender Ryan Miller grabbed the end of it and helped guide it through. Was glad he didn’t slice his catching hand open in the process. Also had a hallway chat with Patrick Kane who played junior in London, Mike Richards who played junior in Kitchener for a friend – Peter DeBoer.
February 28
Had to be back at the Canada Hockey Place at 7 a.m. Gold medal game started at 12:30 p.m. Security was very high.
I arrived at 7 a.m. Mike Babcock rolled in at 8 am – four hours prior to game time – jacket and tie – and ready to go. Didn’t look like he slept much.
He had about an hour to himself in the room prior to the players and support staff arriving. Tensions were very high.
Teams went out for their warm-ups about 11:45 a.m. I was assigned the U.S. team. I looked after their bench and dressing room between the first and second periods.
Carol Stephenson sat right behind the USA bench. I gave her a warm-up puck – and others in the row also got one.
The corridors were jammed – so I watched the game with a couple of volunteers and Jonathon Quick – third goalie for the American team. The arena was loud – seas of red sweaters – but quite a few American jerseys as well.
We watched the overtime from the ice resurfacing entrance at ice level. When Crosby scored the place erupted – strangers giving high five and giving high fives to one another – something that happened across the country.
Following the medal ceremony the American’s exited and walked past us – many teary-eyed. As you witnessed on TV – the Canadians skated around the rink with a flag, posed for the on-ice photo, then exited, giving the volunteers high fives on the way past. I had the chance to congratulate Crosby and shake his hand. He said thank you. He had a look of immense pride and relief.
We walked with the players back to the dressing room. Gretzky, NHL Commissioner Bettman, Prime Minister Stephen Harper all came down and congratulated the players. The women’s hockey team came down as did gold medalist Jon Montgomery (skeleton).
Harper prepared to leave the arena and head to the closing ceremonies. He was surrounded by security officers – but when he spotted us in our volunteer jackets he walked over to us and thanked us for our efforts.
We went back to the ice. I went over to the Canadian bench to retrieve a lucky loonie that my son Zach had given me to place on the Canadian bench. It was still there.
I changed and headed to the closing ceremonies. I still had my blue coat on and people went out of their way to thank me for volunteering. I told them that it was pure pleasure – and it was.
The closing ceremonies were moving. I loved John Furlong’ speech (English version) and his perception that the Games have united Canadians.
To read more go to:
https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/olympic_adventure.html